The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

La Poire. . .

On Crooked Creek. . .
 creates a  La Poire Frenchy Farmhouse Style tablescape!



One of my collection of fruit motif plates that line the Frenchy Farmhouse Style galley kitchen plate rack On Crooked Creek was my inspiration for this La Poire tablescape!


So~o~o. . . I asked "Mr. Ed" to climb up on the ladder and bring this La Poire plate down for me to begin creating a new tablescape for our dining room table!



I'm still craving this buttery yellow hue for our dining experience! Freshly laundered and folded, I placed this Better Homes and Gardens  tablecloth from Wal ~ Mart down first on the dining room table.



Next, I placed the La Poire dinner plate atop the buttery yellow tablecloth. While the tablecloth has that Traditional element I adore; I was wanting to blend it with my need for Frenchy Farmhouse Style!



Ooh~La~La!  By the addition of the orange scalloped, quilted place mat, I have achieved that Frenchy Farmhouse Style ! I adore the petite, yellow fleur with sage green leaf patterned background of this place mat.  A perfect color combination for this La Poire dinner plate!




Gathering accompanying elements is the part of this process that I love! Now comes the decision making. . .golden pears on red linen are more Traditional; whereas the gold and red checked broadcloth with wheat border dinner napkin leans towards the Frenchy Farmhouse Style!




From the beginning, I knew this verdigris, wrought iron, pedestal cloche would be the perfect choice for the centerpiece!



These co~ordinating linens ~ although not in use on the dining room table ~ will play a supporting role in the La Poire Frenchy Farmhouse Style tablescape!




Freshly pressed linens are a must On Crooked Creek! Not only do they look marvelous they keep their pristine appearance through the entire week!





Ah~h~h, this La Poire tablescape is my heart's desire!






Just a simple poire hue, beaded napkin ring on my attempt to duplicate a  fleur~de~lis gathered napkin.



Two La Poire stacked inside the cloche make an accentuating centerpiece.



 Gingersnap roses from On Crooked Creek' s front flower bed ~


are joined with sage, thyme and oregano
                            from On Crooked Creek's Herb Garden!


The vivid hue is no match 
 for the aromatic scent of these Herbs de Provence bouquets!




Clear water goblets mimic the shape of the wrought iron, pedestal cloche!





Anyway you view this
 La Poire Frenchy Farmhouse Style tablescape. . .
created On Crooked Creek. . .


the dining experience is magnificient!


Until next time . . .



On Crooked Creek is joining our dear hostess Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday! Be sure to visit and be inspired to change your table setting or 'mix it up' for a wonderful dining experience in your own home!

Monday, May 14, 2012

Birds in the Entry. . .

Feathering our nests ~
is one thing most bloggers enjoy doing with our home decor. . .
                                                 and On Crooked Creek is no exception!




Therefore, greeting your arrival On Crooked Creek
                                              are our gold statutory birds in the entry!




The doting pair is nestled between a pair of boxwood topiaries.






Keeping in the freshness of the Spring Season ~
                sprigs of airy fern meander throughout the the vignette!




The ruffled, linen table runner in a natural hue, keeps the arrangement from becoming too heavily ladened.




A framed and easeled orange branch ~ 
                                        bearing fruit and blossoms ~
                                                                        balances the vignette.




Feathering our nests ~ 

                                                   in the entry

                                ~On Crooked Creek !


Until next time. . .



On Crooked Creek will be joining our dear hostess, Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday! Please be sure to visit for some of the best inspirational ideas for feathering your own nest! 

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Simple Every Day. . .

Simple every day. . .

On Crooked Creek. . .I'm afraid NOT!

Most days On Crooked Creek,
it's the usual. . . bowl of Cheerios, orange juice and black coffee!
The weekends ~ now that's quite a bit different! Simple, s l o w Saturday and Sunday!


Beginning with our favorite breakfast fruit. . .Texas Red Grapefruit!


Followed by a new recipe On Crooked Creek,
Cheddar ~ Bacon Wake ~ Up Casserole!


This is one of those "keeper" recipes!
Made the night before. . .
                               pop it in the fridge. . .pop it in the oven. . .
                                                                      simple every day breakfast!




4oz. dry French Bread, cut into 3/4 inch cubes (4 cups).
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese




4 slices Bacon, crisp~cooked, drained and crumbled
   (OR. . . 1 cup diced cooked Ham)

2cups Milk
4 Eggs, slightly beaten
2 TBSP. snipped, fresh Italian Flat~Leaf Parsley




1/2 tsp. Mustard
1/4 tsp. freshly ground Black Pepper
1/8 tsp. Onion Powder




In a large bowl toss together the bread cubes, cheddar cheese, and the cooked bacon (OR ham).



In a medium bowl whisk together milk, eggs, parsley, mustard, pepper, and onion powder.



Pour over the bread mixture in the casserole.
Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.



Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Serves: 6.





Country Home Magazine Dec/Jan 2008
                                                                  stated to Just Add Fruit!

But ~
On Crooked Creek ~
           not only did we add fruit. . .we added Apricot Coffee Cake!




My dear friend, Martha,
                           @ Lines From Linderhof Apricot Coffee Cake!






Now this is the simple every day breakfast
                "Mr. Ed" and I could get use to having
                              On Crooked Creek. . .




Until next time. . .














On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess Yvonne @ StoneGable for On The Menu Monday! Be sure to visit StoneGable for delicious menu choices that are mouth watering for your families menus!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Changing of the Hues!

With all the exterior painting that is taking place On Crooked Creek.. .it was definitely time for the changing of the Hues!



While I adored the pink tulips that previously were placed in my flat door basket, they left something to be desired with the exterior hue of Mark Twain House Bark!



So~o~o. . .while "Mr. Ed" was busily painting away on the house. . . I did a make~over of the front porch decor!




Beginning with my flat door basket, I chose faux Shasta daisies, similar to those grown in the garden On Crooked Creek! I tucked in some snowballs, a few bits of greenery and added one of my signature bows!




A much needed change for this painless window frame On Crooked Creek!




Next came the three ~ tiered, wrought iron, corner plant stand.



I left the decor untouched on the middle shelf. This is one of the first birdhouses made by my dad when "Mr.Ed" and I purchased our second home in South East Kansas. I adore the authenticity of this faux birds nest!



This pot of soft, buttery hued, faux marigolds sits at the top of the shelf!



On the bottom shelf is a pot of soft, buttery hued, faux primrose paired with a concrete white rabbit from my beloved MoMa's garden!



The three~tiered, wrought iron, corner shelf in its entirety. Such subtle changes make a huge impact! I am so lovin' that soft, buttery yellow hue this Spring!



At the base of the corner shelf sits a primitive, green wooden box. Filled with another pair of hares On Crooked Creek!




As my 'bunny love' affair continues, I am so smitten with this little cutie! That terra cotta chip in his ear makes my heart swoon!



His adorable mate has chips of terra cotta on her back side! To accentuate the pair, I placed chippy white pots of faux snowballs as a backdrop.



Placed near the entry On Crooked Creek, these are well protected from extreme weather under the covered portion of the porch.




A much welcome Changing of the Hues On Crooked Creek!




Until next time. . .